"How do I choose the best sunscreen for my kids?" is one of the more common questions I get in the office each summer. As parents, we always want to do what's best for our children, and most of us by now have heard that excess sun exposure causes skin cancer. Over the past few years, conflicting messages have emerged from some media sources and websites regarding whether or not sunscreens are safe, with some even questioning whether they should be used at all. As a dermatologist and a mother of two young children, this issue is very dear to me, and I'd like to address some of the misinformation out there by writing about sun protection in children.

This post discusses a number of issues surrounding sunscreens and sun protection. For those unable to read to the end, some of the take-home messages are as follows:

Excess sun exposure causes skin cancer. Children may be especially vulnerable to the effects of radiation from the sun.

Protect children with a combination of sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunscreen. Have them seek shade whenever possible between 10am and 4pm.

Scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the benefits of sunscreen use in preventing skin cancer.

Choose a sunscreen for your child that has an SPF of 30 or higher and is labelled as "broad spectrum". Use water-resistant sunscreens if your child will be swimming.

Look for the ingredients avobenzone, ecamsule (Mexoryl SX) and/or zinc oxide when choosing a sunscreen. Examples of products that contain these ingredients are listed below.

A well-formulated chemical sunscreen will often provide a higher degree of protection than a sunscreen that is composed of only mineral active ingredients

Apply sunscreen generously, and re-apply it every 2 hours (more frequently after water exposure). Make sure to cover all exposed areas.

Skin cancer is the most common and one of the most preventable types of cancers in Canada and the United States. Fifty years of skyrocketing increases have led to the point that there are now more cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year than of all other cancers combined. While most of these malignancies are curable, some are not, and an estimated 10,000 Americans and 1150 Canadians will lose their lives to melanoma this year.

There is a consensus amongst the scientific community regarding the fact that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) emitted by the sun causes skin cancer. Despite what some fringe websites may tell you, there really is no debate regarding this issue among credible scientists. The causal relationship between UVR and skin cancer is as well-established as the one between smoking and lung cancer.

Research also suggests that childhood may be a particularly vulnerable time for our skin. Many studies have shown a link between sunburns and the subsequent risk of developing melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer), and several studies have found that sunburns in youth may pose a greater risk than those later in life. Only a single blistering sunburn in childhood has been estimated to raise a child's risk of going on to develop melanoma by about 50%, and five sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 have been associated with an 80% increase in risk. That doesn't mean you should panic if your child has had a few sunburns, but you should be aware that protecting her skin is important to her health.

What Is The Best Way To Protect My Child's Skin?

The best way to protect your child's skin is with a combination of sun-protective clothing, sunscreen, and sun-safe behaviour.Children should primarily be protected with clothing, hats, and sunglasses, and sunscreen should be relied on for areas that remain exposed (babies under six months of age should be kept out of the sun). Clothing and swimsuits ("rash guards") labelled with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 40 or higher are now readily available, and dark-coloured clothing with a dense weave will similarly provide a high degree of protection. Unlike sunscreen, clothing doesn't wash off, nor does it depend on one's application technique, making it an ideal form of sun protection. Finally, encourage sun-safe behaviour in your children; have them play in the shade whenever possible during the peak UV exposure hours of 10am - 4 pm.

What Makes a Great Sunscreen?

Creating a great sunscreen is actually a greater challenge for manufacturers than most people realize. The ideal sunscreen protects well throughout the entire spectrum of ultraviolet radiation that reaches the earth (which is divided into UVB and UVA). Most (not all) sunscreens with an SPF rating of 30 or higher will protect reasonably well from the UVB part of the ultraviolet spectrum. Good UVA coverage, especially from the longest UVA rays (known as UVA1) is more difficult to achieve, and is what sets a great sunscreen apart from a weaker one. This is largely because there are only three sunscreen ingredients (UV filters) available for use in North America that protect well from this part of the ultraviolet spectrum: avobenzone, zinc oxide and ecamsule.

So What Should I Look For In A Sunscreen?

When choosing a sunscreen for your child, look for a product that has an SPF of at least 30 (preferably 40-50 for days at the beach, pool, or when your child will be outside for long periods of time). If your child will be in water, make sure to choose a sunscreen that is labelled as "water resistant". Finally, look for a product that is labelled as "broad-spectrum" or displays a UVA circle logo (pictured above),whichmeans that it offers protection from a broader portion of the UVA/UVB spectrum. To find a sunscreen that protects well from longer UVA rays, check the label for the presence of avobenzone, ecamsule (Mexoryl SX) or zinc oxide. I have listed a number of examples at the bottom of this post.

I've Heard That Sunscreens Cause Skin Cancer...Is that True?

No. Sunscreens do not cause skin cancer. In fact, research in both animals and humans has shown that regular sunscreen use can prevent skin cancer. A randomized controlled trial (the highest quality of medical research) conducted in Australia showed that daily sunscreen use reduced the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (a common type of skin cancer) by 39%. Long-term follow-up of this study found that those who used sunscreen daily also had a 50% reduction in their risk of melanoma.

Aren't Sunscreens Full of Dangerous Chemicals?

Sunscreens, like all things in our lives (including the water we drink and all the foods we eat), are made up of chemicals. Despite their extensive use over decades there is no scientific evidence that is of reasonable quality that shows that any of the sunscreen active ingredients currently in use in the US or Canada are harmful when used in human beings. Because they are regulated as over-the-counter drugs in these countries, all of the active ingredients used in sunscreens have undergone rigorous safety testing prior to being approved by Health Canada or the FDA. I have written a long post on the safety of sunscreens and the fear-mongering that has taken over the discourse surrounding these products.

What About "Natural" Sunscreens?

Products marketed as "natural" are often mineral sunscreens, which use only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as their active ingredients. These ingredients are known as physical filters; inert metals that sit on the skin and absorb, scatter or reflect light (in contrast to chemical filters such as avobenzone or octocrylene that absorb ultraviolet light and convert it to heat). While chemical filters can sometimes irritate sensitive skin and can rarely cause allergic reactions, physical filters have the advantage of being gentle, stable (meaning that they are not degraded by sunlight) and non-allergenic. They can bea good choice for young children (older than 6 months), and for those with eczema or sensitive skin. Their disadvantage lies with the fact that zinc oxide is a less efficient ingredient, meaning that ounce for ounce it provides a lesser degree of protection.

The lesser efficiency of some mineral sunscreens has been illustrated by Consumer Reports, who in their testing have found that almost 75% of "natural" sunscreens don't meet their SPF claims,a finding that concerns me given how popular these products are with parents. In general, a well-formulated "chemical" sunscreen will provide a higher degree of protection than most mineral sunscreens, and it is for this reason that I usually select sunscreens that use chemical filters for myself and for my family. For more information on this topic please see this post.

Ultimately, whether one should choose a mineral or chemical sunscreen really depends on which active ingredients a product contains and at what concentrations, such that there isn't a "one-size-fits-all" answer. If you choose to use a mineral sunscreen on your child, look for one with a high SPF and apply it generously. For better protection from UVA rays, choose one that contains zinc oxidealone (in high concentrations of 18-20% or more), or zinc oxide in combination with titanium dioxide.

Why Does My Child Still Burn or Tan When I'm Using A Good Sunscreen?

Like most people, you're not applying your sunscreen properly. Studies have repeatedlyshown that we don't apply sun protection creams in the way they're meant to be used. A sunscreen's SPF is calculated based on the very generous application of product. Most people apply between 20% and 50% as much sunscreen as is needed, which means that your child's SPF 30 is really giving her an SPF of between 6 and 15.

You can buy the best sunscreen out there, but if it's used improperly it will only offer you a fraction of the protection it was meant to provide. An average-sized adult will need 2 tablespoons (a shotglass full) to protect them, and a child will need proportionately less depending on their size. Don't forget to cover areas like the ears, the back of the neck and the tops of the feet, and remember that your child needs sun protection even on cloudy days. Sunscreen should then be reapplied every 2 hours, and more frequently if your child has been swimming.

Should I Buy Sunscreens That Are Specifically Labelled As Being For Kids?

Not necessarily. In many cases, the only difference between kids' sunscreens and adult versions is marketing. There are no sunscreen ingredients that are specifically approved (or banned) in children vs adults. The sunscreen you use on yourself can generally be used on your children.

What About Spray Sunscreens?

Some experts have cautioned that there may be health risks associated with inhaling sunscreen ingredients when they are aerosolized. Because they go on clear, they are also more difficult to see on the skin, and "skip areas" may be more likely to develop. For these reasons, sunscreens in a lotion or cream formulation may be preferable for children.

Are There Some Sunscreens I Should Avoid?

Avoid any sunscreen that does not provide "broad-spectrum" protection. These sunscreens allow users to stay in the sun longer without burning, but do not provide adequate protection from longer UVA rays. Sunscreens like this may actually be dangerous, allowing us to get more UVA radiation than we would otherwise get.

So Which Sunscreens Do You Recommend?

There are many great choices out there in terms of sun protection, such that I'm usually reluctant to recommend only a handful of products. That being said, I realize it's easier to head to the store knowing what to look for, and so I've put together a list of a few of the sunscreens that I recommend for my patients who are children, and for my patients who are parents. All of the sunscreens listed below are water resistant and contain ingredients that, in appropriate concentrations, protect well from both UVB and UVA rays. Please realize that this list is by no means exhaustive...there are dozens of very good options available in local stores.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo-Kids SPF 50 Lotion

Vichy Ideal Soleil Lotion SPF 50 For Kids

Ombrelle Kids SPF 50+ Water Resistant Lotion

Coppertone Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60

Mineral Sunscreens:

Look for high concentrations of zinc oxide when choosing a mineral sunscreen. Aveeno's new formulation of Aveeno Baby and Neutrogena's new Sheer Zinc product both contain over 20% zinc oxide.

Aveeno Baby Sunscreen SPF 50

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen

Other Resources:

Both the Skin Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Dermatology Association maintain lists of sunscreens that bear their respective seals of approval. While these organizations do not independently test sunscreens, they do have panels of doctors and/or scientists that review the composition of a product and the scientific testing it has undergone. The Skin Cancer Foundation also reviews products such as hats, sunglasses, and protective lip balms, all of which are important parts of a good sun-protection program.

In Summary...

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in North America, and one of the few that is largely preventable. Protecting your child's skin now may reduce their risk of developing these malignancies later in life. From sun-protective clothing, to sunscreens, hats and sunglasses, increased awareness of the risks of excess sun exposure have been met with a plethora of products that can help protect your little ones' skin and eyes. Choose your sunscreens and sun-protection products carefully, use them as directed, and send your children off to enjoy their summer vacations. Happy summer!

Dr. Michelle Levy is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and aesthetic dermatology. A graduate of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Levy provides a full spectrum of dermatologic services in Toronto, Canada.
Education:
M.D., University of Toronto, 1999
Residency in Dermatology, University of Toronto, 1999-2004
Employment History:
Self-employed, North York, Ontario, 2005-Present
Medcan. Consultant Dermatologist. 2007-Present